US9601868B2 - Module latch actuator - Google Patents

Module latch actuator Download PDF

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Publication number
US9601868B2
US9601868B2 US14/832,787 US201514832787A US9601868B2 US 9601868 B2 US9601868 B2 US 9601868B2 US 201514832787 A US201514832787 A US 201514832787A US 9601868 B2 US9601868 B2 US 9601868B2
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
housing
actuator
module
latch
free end
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
US14/832,787
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English (en)
Other versions
US20160233612A1 (en
Inventor
Rickard BARREFELT
Tekke Drijfhout
Johan Smits
Zhicheng Zhang
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Tyco Electronics Shanghai Co Ltd
TE Connectivity Nederland BV
Tyco Electronics Svenska AB
Original Assignee
Tyco Electronics Shanghai Co Ltd
TE Connectivity Nederland BV
Tyco Electronics Svenska AB
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Tyco Electronics Shanghai Co Ltd, TE Connectivity Nederland BV, Tyco Electronics Svenska AB filed Critical Tyco Electronics Shanghai Co Ltd
Priority to US14/832,787 priority Critical patent/US9601868B2/en
Priority to EP16153472.2A priority patent/EP3054539B1/de
Priority to CN201610081967.6A priority patent/CN105870717B/zh
Priority to US29/555,478 priority patent/USD871340S1/en
Publication of US20160233612A1 publication Critical patent/US20160233612A1/en
Assigned to TYCO ELECTRONICS (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD. reassignment TYCO ELECTRONICS (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: ZHANG, ZHICHENG
Assigned to TYCO ELECTRONICS SVENSKA AB reassignment TYCO ELECTRONICS SVENSKA AB ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: Barrefelt, Rickard
Assigned to TE CONNECTIVITY NEDERLAND B.V. reassignment TE CONNECTIVITY NEDERLAND B.V. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: Smits, Johan, Drijfhout, Tekke
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US9601868B2 publication Critical patent/US9601868B2/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/62—Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
    • H01R13/627—Snap or like fastening
    • H01R13/6271—Latching means integral with the housing
    • H01R13/6272—Latching means integral with the housing comprising a single latching arm
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/62—Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
    • H01R13/629—Additional means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. aligning or guiding means, levers, gas pressure electrical locking indicators, manufacturing tolerances
    • H01R13/62933—Comprising exclusively pivoting lever
    • H01R13/62938—Pivoting lever comprising own camming means
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/62—Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
    • H01R13/627—Snap or like fastening
    • H01R13/6275—Latching arms not integral with the housing
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/62—Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
    • H01R13/629—Additional means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. aligning or guiding means, levers, gas pressure electrical locking indicators, manufacturing tolerances
    • H01R13/633—Additional means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. aligning or guiding means, levers, gas pressure electrical locking indicators, manufacturing tolerances for disengagement only
    • H01R13/6335—Additional means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. aligning or guiding means, levers, gas pressure electrical locking indicators, manufacturing tolerances for disengagement only comprising a handle
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/62—Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
    • H01R13/629—Additional means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. aligning or guiding means, levers, gas pressure electrical locking indicators, manufacturing tolerances
    • H01R13/633—Additional means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. aligning or guiding means, levers, gas pressure electrical locking indicators, manufacturing tolerances for disengagement only
    • H01R13/635—Additional means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. aligning or guiding means, levers, gas pressure electrical locking indicators, manufacturing tolerances for disengagement only by mechanical pressure, e.g. spring force

Definitions

  • This disclosure relates to a module extraction system, and more specifically to a connector module having an actuatable latch for high density connector configurations.
  • the latching mechanism is often located on the top or bottom of the connector modular such that, when the connectors are densely packed, with one on top of the other, access to the latching mechanism on the top/bottom of the module is significantly restricted if not altogether blocked. Accordingly, to remove a particular module, the other modules in a column must be removed to provide access to the latching mechanism of a particular module, or special tooling must be employed to engage the latching mechanism.
  • Applicants have identified a need to provide a convenient mechanism to withdraw a plug from a high density array of connectors without the need to remove adjacent modules or use special tooling.
  • the present invention fulfills this need among others.
  • the invention relates to a module having a front/rear and top/bottom orientation, the module comprising: (a) a housing having a front and rear end; (b) a connector at the front end of the housing for interengaging with a mating connector having purchase point; (c) a resilient latch having a secured end connected to the housing, and a free end forward of the secured end, the free end being biased toward the housing and configured to releasibly engage the purchase point; and (d) an actuator moveably attached to the housing, the actuator being disposed under the latch and having a contact portion which contacts the latch as the actuator is pulled rearward to urge the latch away from the housing, thereby freeing the free end from the purchase point.
  • FIGS. 1-3 show one embodiment of the latch actuator of the present invention.
  • FIGS. 4(A) and 4(B) show the module of FIG. 1 in the unactuated and actuated state, respectively.
  • FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the actuator of the present invention.
  • FIGS. 6(A) -(B) show one embodiment of the connector module of the present invention from top right and top left perspective views, respectively.
  • FIGS. 6(C) -(D) show the embodiment of FIGS. 6(A) -(B) from bottom right and bottom left perspective views, respectively.
  • FIGS. 7(A) -(B) show the embodiment of FIGS. 6(A) -(B) from the top and bottom, respectively.
  • FIGS. 7(C) -(D) show the embodiment of FIGS. 6(A) -(B) from the front and back, respectively.
  • FIGS. 7(E) -(F) show the embodiment of FIGS. 6(A) -(B) from the right and left side, respectively.
  • the module 100 has a front/rear and top/bottom orientation, and comprises a housing 101 having a front and rear end 101 a , 101 b .
  • a connector 102 is disposed at the front end of the housing for interengaging with a mating connector having purchase point (not shown).
  • the module also comprises a resilient latch 103 having a secured end 104 secured to the housing, and a free end 105 forward of the secured end. The free end is biased toward the housing and configured to releasibly engage the purchase point.
  • the module also comprises an actuator 106 moveably attached to the housing.
  • the actuator is disposed under the latch 103 and has a contact portion 107 , which contacts the latch as the actuator is pulled rearward to urge the latch away from the housing, thereby freeing the free end from the purchase point.
  • the purchase point may be any know structure on the mating connector for interengaging with the free end of the latch to hold the module in place.
  • a purchase point in this context, is well known to those of skill in the art, and includes, for example, a recess (e.g., groove) or a protrusion (e.g., ridge).
  • the free end is configured to interengage with the purchase point.
  • the free end may comprise a hook to hook/latch onto a protrusion or recess on the mating connector, or the free end may define an orifice to receive a protrusion. Still other embodiments will be known or obvious to one of skill in the art in light of this disclosure.
  • the module may be any modular device having at least one connector.
  • the modular device is one which is subject to high-density connector configurations.
  • the module has one or more connectors at the front end and one or more connectors at the back end.
  • the connectors and the housing may be discrete or integrally molded.
  • the actuator is pivotally attached to the housing.
  • the actuator comprises lateral flanges 108 about which the contact portion 107 of the actuator pivots when the actuator is pulled rearward.
  • the flanges comprise an arcuate portion 110 to function as a pivot point.
  • the housing comprises recesses 109 to receive the flanges.
  • the housing comprises pins to interengage the flanges to thereby pivotally attach the actuator to the housing. The flanges thus pivot around the pins in such an embodiment.
  • the recesses are larger than the flanges to allow the flanges room to pivot.
  • FIGS. 4(A) and 4(B) show the module of FIG. 1 in the unactuated and actuated state, respectively.
  • the arcuate portions 110 of flanges 108 pivot in the recess 109 to rotate the contacting portion 107 upward and into the resilient latch 105 .
  • the resilience of the latch is sufficient to rotate the contacting portion 107 back toward the housing and return the actuator to its unactuated state as shown in FIG. 4(A) .
  • module 500 is slidably attached to the referring housing.
  • module 500 like module 100 , has a front/rear and top/bottom orientation, comprises a housing 501 with a connector 502 disposed at the front end, and a resilient latch 503 having a secured end 504 secured to the housing, and a free end 505 forward of the secured end.
  • the actuator 506 is also slidably attached to the housing under the latch 503 .
  • actuator 506 does not have flanges as in the embodiment of FIG. 1 . Rather, the contact portion 507 urges against an inclined portion 550 of the latch. The inclined portion slopes toward the housing from front to back as shown. Thus, as the contact portion moves rearward and contacts the inclined portion 550 , the latch 503 is urged away from the housing.
  • the actuator does not substantially extend above the housing top when the actuator is in an actuated state. This is important in high connector density applications.
  • one embodiment of the invention also includes a tab 601 connected to the actuator.
  • the tab extends from the rear of the module, clear of the cable(s) attached to the rear of the module (if any), thus making the actuation of the actuator easier.
  • the tab is discrete from the actuator, while in another embodiment, the tab is integral with the actuator. In one embodiment, the tab is flexible.

Landscapes

  • Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)
  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)
US14/832,787 2015-02-05 2015-08-21 Module latch actuator Active US9601868B2 (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US14/832,787 US9601868B2 (en) 2015-02-05 2015-08-21 Module latch actuator
EP16153472.2A EP3054539B1 (de) 2015-02-05 2016-01-29 Modulriegelaktuator
CN201610081967.6A CN105870717B (zh) 2015-02-05 2016-02-05 模块闩锁致动器
US29/555,478 USD871340S1 (en) 2015-08-21 2016-02-22 Module latch actuator

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201562112446P 2015-02-05 2015-02-05
US14/832,787 US9601868B2 (en) 2015-02-05 2015-08-21 Module latch actuator

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US29/555,478 Continuation USD871340S1 (en) 2015-08-21 2016-02-22 Module latch actuator

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20160233612A1 US20160233612A1 (en) 2016-08-11
US9601868B2 true US9601868B2 (en) 2017-03-21

Family

ID=55272357

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US14/832,787 Active US9601868B2 (en) 2015-02-05 2015-08-21 Module latch actuator

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (1) US9601868B2 (de)
EP (1) EP3054539B1 (de)
CN (1) CN105870717B (de)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10873157B1 (en) * 2020-01-03 2020-12-22 TE Connectivity Services Gmbh Pull tab for a plug connector
US11276958B2 (en) * 2019-03-25 2022-03-15 Molex, Llc Connector

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD871340S1 (en) * 2015-08-21 2019-12-31 Te Connectivity Nederland B.V. Module latch actuator
JP7047457B2 (ja) * 2018-02-27 2022-04-05 沖電気工業株式会社 コネクタ
CN111326886B (zh) * 2020-04-08 2021-11-09 东莞立讯技术有限公司 拉带解锁结构及连接器

Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20060189197A1 (en) * 2005-02-18 2006-08-24 Bruce Reed Low profile latching connector
US20070243749A1 (en) * 2005-08-26 2007-10-18 Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd. Plug connector with latching mechanism
US7534125B1 (en) 2008-02-26 2009-05-19 Tyco Electronics Corporation Electrical connector having a multi-directional latching mechanism
US7540755B1 (en) * 2008-01-18 2009-06-02 Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd. Electrical connector assembly with improved latching mechanism
US20100216325A1 (en) 2007-08-28 2010-08-26 Yu-Cheng Huang Latch locking type connector
US8475198B2 (en) * 2010-12-10 2013-07-02 Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. Plug connector having an improved latching mechanism
US8475199B2 (en) * 2010-12-30 2013-07-02 Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. Plug connector having an improved releasing mechanism
US8740637B2 (en) * 2011-05-06 2014-06-03 Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. Plug connector having a releasing mechanism with convenient and steady operation
EP2741377A1 (de) 2012-12-06 2014-06-11 Tyco Electronics Nederland B.V. Kebelverbinder und Verbinderanordnung
US20150162709A1 (en) * 2013-12-11 2015-06-11 Foxconn Interconnect Technology Limited Plug having improved release mechanism

Patent Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20060189197A1 (en) * 2005-02-18 2006-08-24 Bruce Reed Low profile latching connector
US7281937B2 (en) 2005-02-18 2007-10-16 Molex Incorporated Low profile latching connector
US20070243749A1 (en) * 2005-08-26 2007-10-18 Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd. Plug connector with latching mechanism
US20100216325A1 (en) 2007-08-28 2010-08-26 Yu-Cheng Huang Latch locking type connector
US7540755B1 (en) * 2008-01-18 2009-06-02 Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd. Electrical connector assembly with improved latching mechanism
US7534125B1 (en) 2008-02-26 2009-05-19 Tyco Electronics Corporation Electrical connector having a multi-directional latching mechanism
US8475198B2 (en) * 2010-12-10 2013-07-02 Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. Plug connector having an improved latching mechanism
US8475199B2 (en) * 2010-12-30 2013-07-02 Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. Plug connector having an improved releasing mechanism
US8740637B2 (en) * 2011-05-06 2014-06-03 Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. Plug connector having a releasing mechanism with convenient and steady operation
EP2741377A1 (de) 2012-12-06 2014-06-11 Tyco Electronics Nederland B.V. Kebelverbinder und Verbinderanordnung
US20150162709A1 (en) * 2013-12-11 2015-06-11 Foxconn Interconnect Technology Limited Plug having improved release mechanism

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
Extended European search report mailed Jun. 15, 2016 for counterpart European application 16153472.2.

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11276958B2 (en) * 2019-03-25 2022-03-15 Molex, Llc Connector
US10873157B1 (en) * 2020-01-03 2020-12-22 TE Connectivity Services Gmbh Pull tab for a plug connector

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN105870717B (zh) 2019-11-05
CN105870717A (zh) 2016-08-17
EP3054539B1 (de) 2018-07-04
US20160233612A1 (en) 2016-08-11
EP3054539A1 (de) 2016-08-10

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Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: TYCO ELECTRONICS SVENSKA AB, SWEDEN

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:BARREFELT, RICKARD;REEL/FRAME:040864/0724

Effective date: 20160503

Owner name: TYCO ELECTRONICS (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD., CHINA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:ZHANG, ZHICHENG;REEL/FRAME:040864/0759

Effective date: 20160726

Owner name: TE CONNECTIVITY NEDERLAND B.V., NETHERLANDS

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:DRIJFHOUT, TEKKE;SMITS, JOHAN;SIGNING DATES FROM 20161204 TO 20161205;REEL/FRAME:040864/0669

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